‘With Close reference to at least 5 of the Scripture passages provided, demonstrate how Jesus is the model for Christian life and explain how this model of life is a challenge in the context of Western contemporary society.’
Christian life is modelled on the teachings and ministry of Jesus. This is demonstrated through the scripture passages and is lived out in basic everyday life. However, it is challenged throughout the context of Western contemporary society because of the different political views, beliefs and the rapidly advancing technologies in society.
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus presented to us through the Prophets and New Testament writings. It is one of the largest religions in the world. Jesus is the main focal point of Christianity and is commonly referred to as Son of God, Christ or the Messiah. Christians believe the Jesus is the ‘chosen one’ by God, sent down as the saviour of all humanity. They believe He died for us on the cross as a sign of having eternal life and being free from all sins. He has taught us how to live with stories of His life explained throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John with each Gospel telling stories and the teachings of Jesus in multiple ways. Christianity has many ethics in which Christians live their lives by. These are portrayed through Jesus’ teachings and messages. Christians’ personal morals and values are also based on these ethics given to us.
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another...” (John 13:34-38) This short passage from the Bible is a commonly known and Jesus’ commandment. It has great effect on each believer of Christianity in that it is one of the most well-known through Christianity because of its power. It is every captivating and is taken in by every believer of Christianity and their beliefs and interpretations of their own, personal morals and values, and their interpretation of Jesus’ teachings. This passage models how Jesus has taught us to treat and act towards one another and he had done during his time on the Earth.
The Beatitudes are also one of the most well-known passages and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Beatitudes are eight statements taught by Jesus that, if followed, are believed to bring us into a personal state of happiness and peace as well as bringing us together as one in the Kingdom of God in life after death. They are a teaching, a belief, a guide; they are Jesus’ own values in which he cares about most. The Beatitudes consist of, “Blessed are the poor in spirit... Blessed are those who mourn... Blessed are the meek... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness... Blessed are the merciful... Blessed are the pure in heart... Blessed are the peacemakers... Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness …” (Matthew 5:3-11) These Beatitudes are a contributing factor as the how Jesus is the model of Christian life. As He has set out the Beatitudes as putting a distinct meaning and identification to the people feel they connect and understand the Beatitudes.
All throughout Jesus’ life he tried to keep peace between all people as well as spreading the Word about the Good News from God himself. He had structured his life to praise and, in a way, advertise the Word of Lord God while at the same time being faced by life’s everyday challenges on top of his own by being the Son of God. “... ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Luke 10:26-28) “… Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42) These two quotes from these passages briefly summarise Jesus’ message to all people; to be fair in your giving, taking and beliefs. It explains Jesus’ own morals and how he, himself contributes to being a perfect model of